Ice cube vending machine



y 4, 1953 R. H. RIDNOUR ICE CUBE VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1950 INVENTOR. $06!? f! fab hour F777'0/VEY a; NN W 3 9d :N Ir 0 NR 8.

y 4, 1953 R. H. RIDNOUR 2,645,092

ICE CUBE VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

HTTOF/VEY y 4, 1953 R. H. RIDNOUR 2,645,092

ICE cuss VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 dm azeag,

Patented July 14, 1953 OFFICE v ICE CUBE VENDING MACHINE Robert H. Ridnour, Sioux Oshawa Application August 2, 1950, Serial No. 177,299

3 Claims.

1 My invention relates to an ice cube vending machine.

An object of my invention is to provide an ice cube vending machine in which the ice cubes will be dispensed in the form of packaged units,

which packaged units can be readily opened.

A further object of my invention is to provide a coin operated vending machine which will operate automatically upon the insertion of a coin, and with attendant means so arranged that the freezing cycle in the machine must be completed before a package will be released, thereby providing a machine that will function without error.

A further object of my invention is to provide an arrangement wherein the packaged ice cubes are formed within initially collapsed folded con tainers which become extended due to the automatic control and flow of water therein, the water supply to the machine being constant at all times.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby the water admitted to the frozen cube containing elements is accurately measured, and to provide further attendant means wherein the freezing compartments of the machine will contain and release the packaged ice cubes automatically.

A further object of my invention is to provide an electric control circuit in combination with the various portions of the mechanism of the machine wherein the various packages are moved into position automatically upon the insertion of a coin, and with such electric circuit further providing means for controlling the discharge of the packaged cubes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a machine of this character which will meet a high rate of demand at any hour of the day, due to the automatically functioning arrangements.

A further object of my invention is to provide an arrangement in which the collapsed package units can be readily inserted and which will automatically be guided into the freezing portions of the arrangement.

A further object of my invention is to provide mechanically operated control .members to provide all of the aforementioned objects.

A further object of my invention is to provide a 7 machine which will function automatically at all times, requiring servicing only at rare intervals.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,

pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine cut away to show the relationship of certain features,

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the complete machine cut :away to show the relationship of certain features, 7

Figure 3 is a detailed view of the package magazine, package feeding mechanism and freezing compartment,

Figure 4 is a side view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 3 showing further details of the package magazine and package feeding mechanism,

Figure 5 is a section taken along the lines 5-5 showing the package followercarriage,

Figure 6 is a view taken along the lines 6-6 of Figure 3 showing the package feeding carriage,

Figure '7 is a section taken along the lines 1--! of Figure 3 through the package feeding carriage and package feed guides,

Figure 8 is a section taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure 3 through the package feed guides,

Figure '9 is "a view taken along the lines 99 of Figure 3 through the package feed guide and package retaining wall of the freezing compartment, I

Figure 10 is a section taken along the lines lfl-Hl of Figure 3 through the package magazine guide rails,

Figure 11 is a detail of the package feed follower,

Figure 12 is an isometric cutaway view of the upper portion of the package unit partially extended,

Figure 13 is an isometric cutaway view of the lower part of the package unit,

Figure .14 is a detail of the corner fold of the package unit,

Figure 15 is a section through the package unit at the lines [5-15 of Figure 17,

Figure 16 is a fiat pattern view of a cube cell separator,

Figure'l'l is a bottom View taken at line H--|l of Figurelfi showing'the folding details of the package unit' bottom,

Figure 18 is a side'view of the package unit completely collapsed,

Figure 19 is a sectional view through thefiuid storage and measuring compartments and valve arrangement,

Figure 2011s a section taken at line 39-23 on Figure'3 through the freezing compartment,

Figure 21 is a detail of the selector mechanism and basic wiring diagram of the machine,

Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 are cam details taken at 22-22, 23-23, 24-22, and 25-25 respectively, of Figure 26,

Figure 26 is a plan view taken at line 25-25 on Figure 2 of the package dump-reload cam system,

Figure 27 is a detail view taken at line 21-21 on Figure 2 of the package delivery mechanism,

Figure 28 is a section taken at 28-28 on Figure 2! showing a plan view of the package delivery mechanism, and

Figure 29 is a detail of the package ejector bar taken at line 29-29 of Figure 28.

My invention, of which the machine hereindescribed is only one embodiment, may have many uses. Whereas this embodiment is designed to produce ice cubes for the purpose of cooling bev-- erages, other contemplated uses do not restrict my invention to machines of the size shown or to compartmented packages. Frozen products to be manufactured and vended therein could be cake ice, or by the addition of flavorings or the use of other fluids, could be in the form of ice cream bars, popsicles, or other frozen confections.

While the following detailed specification deals particularly with a machine for making ice cubes, I do not intend to exclude such modifications of the machine as may be required to produce the items above mentioned or which may fall within the broad concepts of my invention.

The machine, as contemplated, may be said to comprise a housing or cabinet A, compartmented into four basic zones: a main refrigerated zone B (Figure 2) a non-refrigerated zone C (Figure 2) at the base of the machine which houses the refrigerating apparatus; a non-refrigerated zone D, having an access cover Hi, which zone houses most of the control apparatus; and a semi-refrigerated area E which comprises a receiving means and pre-chilling and measuring compartment for the water; a package storage magazine F, means for feeding packages into a freezing compartment G, a chute or other means II for delivery of a frozen package to a reserve storage compartment H which is contained in the refrigerated zone B, and a means for delivery of a frozen package from said storage compartment to a receiving compartment I, together with refrigerating means J, and selector and control means K and other necessary mechanisms hereinafter more fully set forth and described.

The cabinet A may comprise a box-like housing having a front wall I2, a rear wall 14, side walls l6 and i1, top wall l8, and resting on a base IS. The structure of the cabinet walls is such as is conventional for ice-making machines and accordingly, suitable heat insulation is provided to divide the various zones as described above. Refrigerated zone B is further defined by a bottom wall 20 and inset side and front walls 2| and 22 and a horizontal wall 23, which latter three walls also form, together with cover It}, the control zone D. The aforementioned zone C is defined by uninsulated downward extensions of walls 12, I4, 16 and H, the base l9 and the horizontal wall 20. The semi-refrigerated zone E comprises a removable cover 24 as its upper wall, and suitable side and bottom walls which are heat insulated to prevent the freezing of the water stored therein but which insulation is thinner or less effective than that of the outer walls, thereby allowing suflicient heat transfer to pre-chill the water but not allow it to freeze. Thermostatically controlled auxiliary heating means may be provided, as will be hereinafter more fully described, to prevent freezing in this area.

Service connections to the machine comprise a water inlet 25, a water drain 26, and an electric supply connection 21.

Water entering from the inlet connection 25 passes through tube 28 to a shut-off valve 29 which is controlled by a float 30, which float allows water to fill the pre-chilling and storage reservoir 35 to a predetermined and adjustable level. A vent 3B is provided in cover i l to assure free inflow and outflow of water from the reservoir compartment. An over-flow pipe 31 is provided to protect against a malfunction of valve 29. Overflow pipe 3'. communicates with drain outlet 26. A drain M is also provided for the refrigerated zone B in case the refrigeration apparatus should fail, and drain 4! also communicates with drain outlet 26.

Referring to Figures 2 and 19, the reservoir 335 communicates with measuring compartments 43 which are equal in number to the number of vertical cells 48 (Figure 13) provided in the package unit 5| (Figures 13 and 18) by means of a passage 54 which in turn communicates with annular spaces 51 formed bythe reduced diameter portions of the cylindrical valve rod 59 and the cylindrical hole 6i in which said valve rod slides, and thence from said annular spaces 51 into the measuring compartments 43 through passages 62. This flow path is the normal path provided at all times except when the valve 59 is operated to fill a package with water during the re-load cycle. This normal path of flow allows the water in measuring compartments 43, which are separated by walls 63, to rise to the same level as the level of the water in storage compartment 35, thus allowing the quantity of water to be discharged into the packages in the re-load cycle to be adjusted by, means of adjusting the float 30. On operation of the cylindrical valve 59 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 19, the annular spaces are moved in such a manner as to close communication with passage 54 and reservoir 35 and uncover openings to passage 64 which communicate with discharge tubes 65, thus allowing the outflow from said measuring compartments of the entire measured quantity of water. The parts and passages of the valve mechanism may be readily proportioned to prevent any direct communication between reservoir 35 and discharge tubes 65. It is contemplated that other means of discharging a measured quantity of water, such as positive displacement pumps, may be provided in lieu of the arrangement shown, all of which means are considered within the scope of my invention.

Having described the water supply system, I will now describe the package unit, and in turn, the storage means for maintaining a supply of packages in proper position to be fed into the freezing compartment.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, it will be seen that the package contemplated for use in the present embodiment of my invention is a multicellular unit which is collapsible to require a minimum of space for storage within the machine, thereby accomplishing one of the objects of my invention. The views of Figures 12 and 13 have been cut away to show the structure of the package, and Figure 13 is shown in shortened relationship to Figure 12, that is, several cells have been removed from the middle of the package, the complete package actually containing five or six vertical divisions, thus forming fifteen to eighteen cube cells. These packages are to be made from suitable materials capable of retaining water, such as wax impregnated paper, metal foil, foil backed by paper, plastic film, or any combination of materials suited to the purpose.

The package comprises .a top 66, which is of heavier gauge material than the .sides, rectangular in shape, and being wider than the main body of the package, thus forming overhanging lips 69' (Figures 12 and 15) which will presently'be seen to be useful in guiding and loading the packages; multiple vertical cells 48 (Figure 13) each having its own four side walls 1|, :12, 13 and 14, and bottom diaphragm 15, and containing suitably spaced separators 16; and a bottom tie sheet 11. Rip strips 18 of a tough material may be imbedded into the lap joints 80 of the vertical cells 48 to facilitate the opening of the package in use, and may in fact carry the adhesive in the process of manufacture.

The top 66 has a water inlet opening 19 located over the center of each vertical cell 48 to allow the package to be filled when brought into position under water discharge tubes 65 in the freezing unit.

The vertical cells 48 comprise the side walls 1 I, 12, 13 and 14, which are formed by folding a flat sheet of suitable material into an essentially tubular form and joining the edges in an ordinary lap joint 89.. Said tubular structure is rendered collapsible and extensible along its lengthwise dimension by means of suitably spaced alternate inward folds 89 (see Figure 15) and outward folds 9D. The spacing of said inward and outward folds is necessarily an eXact fractional part of the vertical length of the desired ice cube size. It will be readily apparent that there may be any number of inward folds per cube. However, it will also be apparent-that each fold adds thickness to the package when collapsed and, therefore, it is desirable that a minimum number of folds be used. It is possible to make only one inward fold per cube, but in so doing, the materials of the sides 1|, 12, 13 and 15 would meet in the center and tend to block the free flow of water from cell to cell, which we shall presently describe. I have therefore illustrated the preferred form of folding wherein there are two inward folds per cube.

Figure 14 illustrates a detail of the folding at the corners of the tube and is typical of all four corners. It will be seen that the folding of one side, as side 12, differs from the folding of its adjacent side, as 1|, in that it is necessary to form additional small triangular surfaces as defined by the corners 8 l-tQ-SA and 8| 82-83. For convenience of this discussion we will hereafter call a fold as side 1| is folded in Figure 14 a flat fold, and we will call a fold as side 12 is folded a broken fold. These corner folds will be more readily understood by the facts that when viewed in the flat, angles 8584-8|, 84--8|-82, 83-8|- -82, 8|84S2, 828|--83 and 8683-8| are all 45-degree angles. Angle 88-83-82, angle angle 8482-8| and angle 83-828| are all QO-degree angles. I have illustrated the cells is as all being flat folded on both corners of opposing sides and broken folded on the alternate sides. my invention shall not be restricted to such an arrangement but shall include any possible combinations and permutations of such fiat folds and broken folds. prise horizontal separators 16 which divide the tube into individual cube cells. Separators 16 However, it is intended that I The vertical cells 48 further comhave a :hole 9| preferably located atthe center, which allows the downward passage of water when filling the package and which also .allows'the upward passage of air during filling and bubbles during freezing, as well as allowing the upward expansion of the unfrozen water core which is typical of the process of freezing water in an open-topped container wherein the freezing of ice progresses inwardly.

The separators 16 may also have multiple slits 92 proceeding outwardly for a limited distance from said hole 9|, preferably toward .the corners of the separator because when so located, they may be longer and still leave a more substantial portion of the diaphragm or separator uncut. The purpose of these slits is to assist in the easy flow of air or-water between the individual .cube cells, especially during the process of manufacture of the package 5| wherein at certain stages of fabrication on high speed machinery, it Will be necessary to rapidly collapse the cells to folded position and a maximum area for the escape of trapped air will be necessary. The tabs comprised by slits 92 and the edge of hole 9| will spring'partially open when under pressure of air or water flow andclose again when the pressure is relieved.

It will be apparent that when cubes of ice are frozen in such a package, there will be a bond of ice between adjacent cubes. This bond being small in area and centrally located will, -by the principles of mechanics, be easily broken by bending of the package, and even more easily by twisting than if said bonds were located outwardly from the center.

Referring to Figure 16, the separators 1 6 have tabs 1% on three sides, which are shown flat, but in use are bent'up along bend lines 93. Referring to Figure 15, it will be seen that separators are located at the point of an outward fold of the sides 1|, 1 2, 13 and 14, and are secured by cementing tabs G4 to sidewalls 12, 13 and 14, there being no tab provided on the side 1|, which is the side carrying the splice and which being last closed in the process of manufacture, prevents access to readily accomplish a bond at this point.

While not illustrated, it is within the scope of my invention to include any other combinations of holes and/or slits in said diaphragms 16 which might be used to accomplish the aforementioned purposes.

The vertical cells 48 further comprise a bottom diaphragm 15 which is preferably of heavier material than that used for the sides, and is a isimple square in shape.

The vertical cells 48 still further comprise a portion of sides 1|, 12, 13 and 14 which extend downwardly beyond the last accordion-like fold in said sides, at which last fold the bottom diaphragm is inserted, and said extended portions are folded over in the usual manner used by store clerks in wrapping a prismatic package. This is illustrated in Figure 17. These folded portions are bonded to said diaphragm 15 by adhesive, wax, or other bonding agents as the case'may .be, with particular care to assure a complete sealing against leakage.

The vertical cells 48 still further comprise extensions of sides 1|, 12, 13 and 14 upwardly beyond the last accordion-like fold, which extensions form tabs 95 (Figure 12). These tabs 95 are wrapped upward onto the top 66 and cemented or otherwise bonded to said top. Those tabs which do not fall adjacent to an outside edge oftop 66 may be simply eliminated since there is no particular need for a water-tight construction at this point because the packages should not be filled completely to overflow with water.

The bottom tie sheet 11 is a channel-like piece which has as its principal function the tying together of the bottoms of the several cells. Said bottom tie may be securely bonded as extra protection against leakage. Its upstanding flange portions could be extended up the entire side of the package for the purpose of carrying an advertising message, in which case it would follow the folds of the sides and thus form a double wall on two sides of the package unit.

Having thus described one embodiment of the package unit, it should be understood that the broad conception of my invention is not restricted to the specific construction shown, other forms having occurred to me as they will to others skilled in the art.

A large quantity of the above described packages in collapsed form may be stored within the machine in a magazine or rack F. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that an access door 96 is located in side wall I6 near the upper end of magazine F. Through this access door packages may be inserted in the magazine by forcing down the remaining supply of packages and placing more packages on top of the remaining supply. Essentially, the magazine or rack consists of raillike members (refer to Figure 10) 91, 98, 99, and I00, arranged to confine and guide the four corners of the package units 5|; a package follower carriage IOI supported by a cable I02 which is passed over a pulley I03, and attached to a counter-balancing weight I04. Weight I04 travels in a channel-like portion of rail member 99. The magazine assembly is secured at its lower end to horizontal wall 20 by means of angles I08 (Figures 2 and 26). Package follower carriage I9I has upturned flanges I01 on which are mounted rollers I06 which roll upon track-like projections I05 of rail members 96 and 99. Cable I02 is attached to the carriage IOI by means of a fitting I09. Pulley I03 is rotatably mounted on a bracket I i supported from rail member 99. It will be apparent that the column of stored packages is constantly forced upward by the force of the weight I64. In Figure '1 it will be seen that the topmost package is stopped from further travel by flange III of the feed guide rail II2. Thus, there is always a package in position to be transferred to the freezing chamber, as will be described later, so long as the supply lasts.

The refrigerating means comprises the evaporator coils H3 (Figure 3) which encircle the freezing compartment G and which are connected to a conventional refrigerating apparatus J located in the bottom of the housing on the base I9, and this refrigerating apparatus may include the usual compressor II4, expansion valve and condenser I I5. Air for condensing purposes enters through louvres II6 in the back wall I4 and passes through the condenser H5 and out through the louvres I I1 in side wall I1. The compressor of the refrigerating apparatus may be thermostatically controlled in a conventional manner for maintaining the desired refrigerating temperatures at the freezing chamber.

The remaining parts of the machine will be described as they are brought into use in the operation of the machine.

For the purpose of describing the operation of the machine, we will assume that the machine has been in normal operation, and that the storage conveyor is completely filled with packages of frozen ice cubes, and that a completely frozen package is in the freezing compartment.

A customer desiring to purchase a package of ice cubes deposits a coin or coins in the coin slot I I8, from which it is received into the coin mechanism H9. This coin mechanism may be of conventional design and may have all the usual testing and rejecting features usual to such mechanisms, as well as the more recently developed change-making features as desired. If the coin is defective in any way, it will be returned through the coin return chute I20. If the coin is accepted, it causes a switch I2I (see Figure 21) to be closed, thus completing the circuit of the package release motor I22 (Figures 2 and 21), causing it to. start and drive through a complete release cycle. This motor is a gear-reduction type whose output shaft I23 (see Figures 27 and 28) is journalled in an internal wall I24. This wall merely supports various parts of the mechanism, and has openings to allow cooling of the storage compartment H by circulating air from the area around the evaporator coils. Rigidly mounted to the shaft I23 is a plate cam I25 having a continuous cam groove I26 cut in one face of said cam. A pin I21 is slidably engaged in said cam groove and restricted to substantially radial movement with relation to shaft I23 by means of link bar I28 on which said pin is mounted, restraining rollers I29 rotatably mounted on wall I24, and pin I30 whose movement must be arcuate since it is also connected to crank arm I3I. Figures 2'1 and 28 have been drawn to show the aforementioned parts in the positions they have assumed after approximately 60 of rotation of the cam I25 from its position of rest between release cycles. Thus it will be seen that pin I21 must have traveled inwardly toward shaft I23 from the outermost part of cam groove I26 to its illustrated position. In so doing, it has caused crank arm I3I to rotate from its position shown in dotted lines to the position shown in solid lines. Crank arm I3I is rigidly attached to shaft I32, which is journalled in brackets I33. Likewise rigidly attached to shaft I32 are ribs I34 mounted on the curved door I35. Thus it will be seen that approximately the first 60 of rotation of cam I25 has caused the rotation of shaft I32 which carries the door I35, and has opened said door preparatory to releasing a package of ice cubes from the storage conveyor. This door I35, when closed, forms a part of the wall of the storage compartment in which the conveyor operates.

In Figure 27 may be seen a package of ice cubes resting on conveyor tray I36 ready to be released by rotating said tray downwardly to approximately the position illustrated by dotted lines.

This release is accomplished by the further rotation of cam I25. Projecting from the face of cam I25 opposite the face in which groove I26 is cut, is a crank pin I31 which, during the first 60 of rotation of cam I25, has idled in slot I38 of link I39. At this point pin I31 has reached the lower end of slot I38 and starts to pull on link I39 whose other end is attached by pin I40 to a crank member I4I. Crank MI is shown broken away in Figure 27 to reveal other important parts. Crank MI is rigidly attached to shaft I42 which is journalled in lug I43 projecting from idler I44. Idler I44 is essentially a heavy tubular member idling on the main conveyor shaft I45 and having two projecting lugs I43 and I46, a projecting cam I41 and a projecting stop I14.

A150 rigidly attached to the shaft I42 isa tray release arm I48. Crank I4I carries a tray 'depressor pin I49. Tray release arm I48 and tray depressor pin I49 will be seen in Figure 28 to be normally in clearance relationship to all the parts of the package conveyor which, under other conditions of operation to .be described hereafter, must be free to travel Within the storage compartment H.

During the first part of the movement of link I39, crank MI is caused to rotate about the center of shaft I42, turning said shaft in its journal and consequently rotating arm I48 also. This movement is opposed by the torsion spring I50 which is coiled on shaft II connecting an extending portion of crank HI and the conveyor advancing pawl I52. The ends of torsion spring I50 are so arranged as to tend to rotate pawl I52 in a clockwise direction about shaft I5I, but which rotation is prevented by the camfollower pin I53 which rests against the cam I41. It will be apparent that under the influence of the spring I50 and the reaction of the cam follower pin I53 on its cam, the crank I will also have a tendency to rotate counter-clockwise about its shaft I42. Movement in this direction is stopped when arm I48 rests against the body portion of idler I44, as illustrated in Figure 27. It also will be evident that the entire assembly of idler I 44, pawl I52, crank I4I, arm I48 and their attached parts would be free to rotate about shaft- I45 except that it is restrained from doing so by the spring I54 which has one end attached to the structure of the cabinet by appropriate means, and its other end attached to pin I55 on the vertically extending lug I46. The relative strength of springs I50 and I54 are such that no extension of spring I54 will take place under the influence of spring I50 alone. Spring I54 will be overpowered only when pawl I52 has engaged the teeth of ratchet I56, and the cam follower pin I53 rests against stop lug I14.

The aforementioned first part of travel of arm I48 brings said arm into latch tripping relationship with the tray latch I51 which has an inclined cam surface I58 at its outer end, a heavy, angularly disposed portion 159, a projecting catch I60, and a thin spring-like portion I6I. The end of advancing arm I48 engages the inclined surface I58 and further travel forces the latch I51 to bend in its spring-like portion I6I, moving the heavy angularly disposed portion toward wall I 24, and with it the projecting catch I60 which is lifted out of engagement with the latch opening I62 in conveyor chain link I63.

Up to this point, the conveyor tray I36 has been supported in a substantially horizontal position by the tray latch I51 which is attached to an upstanding flange I64 of said tray. Without the restraint of the projecting catch I60 engaged in the latch opening I62, the tray is free to rotate about its hinge pin I65 which is journalled in a projecting arm of the L shaped chain link I63 except for the slight restraint of the tray relatching torsion spring I66. latch, the tray may pivot about hinge pin I65 under the influence of the weight of the. frozen package 5|, since the tray re-latching spring is not heavy enough to support this weight, thus dumping the package of ice cubes onto the curved delivery pan I61 on which it will slide by gravity to the delivery door I68. However, it is not deemed advisable to rely on a complete gravity dump of the tray I36, so a positive means of assuring that the tray will rotate downward and On release of the a that the. packageewill not adhere to tray I36 is provided.

By the time that arm I48 hasv released the latch, the rotation of crank. I has advanced pin I49 to the first position.

\ will advance pin I49 to the second position shown by dotted lines. of rotation of pin I49 and tab I69, they will attain a clearance relationship near this second position, and pin I 49 will pass by the 'tab I69. To assure that the package will not adhere to the tray throughfreezing or other conditions, one or more ejector bars I10 (Figures 29 and 28) may be provided, Ejector bar I10 comprises a bar-like member having bosses Ill and I12, the end of which is rounded or downwardly bent to prevent damage to the package. Referring to Figure 29, it will be seen that when tray I36 is rotated to dumping position, the ejector bar I10 remains substantially horizontal since it is mounted on hinge pins I65 and I13. The relative movement of the tray and ejector. bar exerts a prying action on package 5| and any bond between the package and the tray will be broken and the package will slide out.

With the weight off of the tray and the tray depressor pin clear of the tab I69, the tray will be snapped back to the horizontal position by the'tray re-latching spring I66. ,In this return action, the angularly disposed portion I59 ofthe latch I51 will act as a camin relation to the edge of link I63 and cause the projecting catch I to ride over and drop into the latch opening I62, securely re-latching the tray.

With the package delivered into the receiving compartment I, the customer may raise the door I68 and receive the package. However, thereleasecycle is not completed since the machine must be prepared to deliver another package. Therefore, the mechanism is so designed that the furtherrotation' of cam I25 and further rotation of crank I4I, will advance the next tray into position for release. On said further rotation of crank I4I (crank pin I31 has not yet passed over center) the cam follower pin I53 reaches the shoulder of the cam I41, and passing over the shoulder, allows the pawl to engage the teeth on ratchet I56. Said teeth are so spaced and the rotation of the pawl is so designed as to advance the package conveyor one space. A conventional detent mechanism may be provided at any suitable location to more accurately position the conveyor and restrain it against accidental movementdue to unbalanced weight in the conveyor, the tendency" to move when a tray is being forced down, etc. When pawl I52 engages the ratchet, cam follower pin I53 has dropped offthe shoulder of cam I41 and bears against stop I14 on idler I44, causing the entire idler, together with the attached cranks, etc., to turn as a unit onshaft I45, This'is necessary to prevent pawl I52 from liftingout of the teeth of the ratchet and give the mechanism sufficient rotational travel to accomplish the advancement of the conveyor.

At this point in the operation, crank pin I31 passes over center, and the continuing rotation of cam I25 allows the return of the various tray Due to the different centers 11 I54 and I50. The return rotation of idler I is stopped by stop I15 attached to the cabinet structure. The previously mentioned detent mechanism restrains the conveyor from backward travel sufiiciently to overcome the drag of the pawl I52 over the inclined ratchet teeth.

After the cam I25 has been rotated approximately 260 clockwise from the position shown in Figure 27, the link I39 willreach a position where crank pin I31 will again idle in slot I38. At the same time, cam lobe I16 on the periphery of cam I25 will be approaching the push rod I11. The further travel of cam I25 will cause the cam lobe I16 to displace the push rod I11. Push rod I11 may be made to actuate a suitable switch for breaking the electrical circuit to motor I22, thus completing the release cycle. Over-travel of the motor will carry thecam lobe I16 far enough to allow push rod I11 to return to its normal position. Cam groove I26 may be designed to close door I35 at any desired stage of the release cycle and assure that it is closed at the beginning and end of the cycle,

There is now an empty tray in the conveyor. It is necessary that this empty space be filled automatically, regardless of the fact that several vacancies may exist in the conveyor at any one time, as will be seen later. I have therefore provided a selector mechanism K which accomplishes this. Figure 21 shows this mechanism in semischematic form in conjunction with a basic wiring diagram. I have adapted and improved upon the structures of Patent 2,096,620 issued to J. A. Robertson to suit my purposes, omitting certain parts employed by Robertson and adding others of my own. To shorten thedescription herein, I have used certain characters to designate the parts adapted from 2,096,620 which are identical to the characters of said patent. Thus, characters I3, I5, 3|, 32, 33, 34, 38, 39, 40, 42, 44,45, 16, 41, 49, 50, 52, 53, 55, 56, 58, 69, 61, 68 and of Figure 21 indicate parts having the same character and function as in 2,096,620. An understanding of the function of these parts is assumed to have been made clear by Robertson.

It will be evident that I have not employed any of the parts of 2,096,620 which are clock parts but am only using those of the switch. I provide a setting pin I3 for each conveyor tray. I have additionally provided a remotely controlled setting means, a coordinating means between the conveyor trays and the setting pins associated with each tray, a master switching means, and a remotely controlled cancelling means.

The coordinating means between the conveyor trays and the setting pins comprises a sprocket I18 (Figure 1) mounted on the upper conveyor shaft I86, a drive chain I19, a selector drive sprocket I8i (Figure 2 mounted on the selector drive shaft I82 which is journalled in wall 2I, a setting arm I83, and a cancelling arm I84. Selector drive shaft I82 is shown broken and both the setting and the cancelling arms are shown in a position to act on the same setting pin I3 to simplify the illustration, whereas actually arm I83 and arm I84 have a radially offset fixed relationship to each other corresponding to the onset in the conveyor itself between the release position and the loading position.

The diameters of sprockets I18 and I8I are such that one complete revolution of the entire conveyor causes one exact revolution of selector shaft I82.

Thus setting arm I83 the same setting pin when will always be opposite the tray correspond- 12 ing to that pin is at the release position. Likewise, the cancelling arm I84 will always be in position to operate this same pin when said tray is at the loading position.

The multiplicity of setting pins in the actual selector switch has been eliminated in Figure 21, which only shows those falling in the plane of the drawing, and the rings I5, I85 and I86 have been cut away as in a section for greater clarity.

The remotely controlled setting means comprises the push rod I11 (Figures 27 and, l), a crank I81, 9. flexible cable I88, and a crank I89. The push rod pushes on crank I81, which is pivotally mounted to wall I24 thereby pulling on flexible cable I88, the upper end of which is attached to crank I89. Crank I89 is pivotally mounted to the rigid structure Supporting the selector-switch by a pin I90, and has a projecting lug I9I which engages a groove I92 in the setting arm I83. Setting arm I83 is keyed to slide axially along shaft I82 opposed by spring I93. Thus, the completion of the package release cycle is arranged to actuate the setting arm I83, which in its axial movement will push setting pin I3 to its set position, and be then returned by spring I93 to itsnormal position, where it can be free to rotate without interfering with other setting pins.

The master switching means comprises a pair of electrically conductive ring-like plates I85 and I86 similar to rings I5 but mounted on insulating bushings I94 carried by a number of supporting rods I95 which together with various lengths of tubular spacers I96 form the supporting structure for all the aforementioned rings and other parts of the selector mechanism; and a number of bar-like switch pins I91 equal in number to the number of setting pins I3 and attached to said setting pins and having an insulating portion I98, an electrically conducting portion I99, and a second insulating portion 200 arranged in sequence along its length. These switch pins operate slidably in slots 20I of rings I85 and I86 and when in the position shown in Figure 21, portion I98 provides a support for the switch pin and electrically insulates plate I85 and I86. Portion 200 electrically insulates the switch pins and said plates from the rest of the selector switch mechanism.

When setting pin I3 is set to actuate the switching arrangement of Patent 2,096,620, switch pins I91, being attached to pins I3, are also moved into such a position that the electrically conductive portion I99 provides a path for the flow of electricity from plate I85 to I86. In other words, setting a pin I3 closes the master switch and setting of additional pins I3 has no electrical effect, the master switch being closed as long as one or more setting pins are in set position.

The remotely controlled cancelling means comprises a cancelling arm I84 similar in construction and operation to the setting arm I83 already described, which is operated by a system of cranks, rods and levers which will be described more fully later.

In our sequence of operations thus far described, we have completed the release of a package, and in so doing, have actuated the setting arm I83 pushing the setting pin I3 and its attached switch pin to set position. The pin I3 Which'has been set is so related to the roller 53 that said roller will reach pin I3 and actuate the switch cam 38 at the proper time to stop the conveyor for loading the empty tray which was indicated when that particular pin was set. Setting the above described switch pin completes three circuits; one starts the conveyor drive motor, the secondopens relay 203-preventing the operation of the release motor I22, and the third illuminates the warning Wait signal to indicate that the release motor cannot be made to operate. These circuits may be traced on the diagram of Figure 21 as follows: First, from one side of the power line 204 to plate I85 to switch pin conductor |99 to plate |86 to conveyor drive motor 202 through the normally closed contacts of relay 206 to the other side of the power line 205; Second, as above to plate I86 and thence to the operating coil of relay 203 and through the normally closed contacts of relay 206 to line 205-;

Third, wait signal 207 is wired in parallel with the operating coil of relay 203 and thus indicates whenever this relay is energized;

The conveyor drive motor 202- drives the conveyor through worm gear 208 on the upper conveyor shaft, turning it in a counter-clockwise'direction as viewed in Figure 1, and advancing the empty tray toward the loading position at the contacts to the energizing coil of relay 206 andth nce to line 205.

The energizing of relay 206 opens the normally closed contacts of said relay, breaking the circuit of the conveyor drive motor 202, and'stop ping the conveyor with the empty tray in loading position. This relay may be equipped with a dash pot 209 to slow its action and allow a limited time interval before closing'the other sets of contacts shown. This short time interval will allow the coin operated switch |2| to gain control at this point to deliver another package if desired. This is accomplished by the fact that relay 203 was held open by having its energizing coil connected through the contacts of relay 206 and while relay 206 is momentarily between contacts, relay 203 will momentarily'close, and in so doing, not only completes the releasemotor circuit (if coin operated switch is closed) but alsoenergizes the coil of relay 2 flwhich opens the line' 205 (beyond the connection of the coin operated switch I2 I) and prevents the driving of any other motor than the release motor.

If the coin operated switch is not closed, or when another package release is completed and said switch is then re-opened, the relay'206 will then close its normally open contacts. This again completes the release motor lock-out and warning signal circuits through the newly closed alternate contacts of relay 206.

With the closing of the normally'open contacts of. relay 206, the package re-loading cycle is started. re-loading cycle motor 2| is closed from line 204 through contacts 40 thence through motor 2| I to the second set of contacts of relay 206' now closed, and thence to line 205.

Referring to Figures 2 and 26, it will be seen that the package re-loading motor 2 is. arranged to carry a series of cams upon its drive.-

shaft 212, whichcams actuate a series-of'push When the con' It will be seen that the circuit of the rods and tension rods that act in sequence on mechanisms which release a frozen package, re'-' load the freezing chamber with an empty package, fill the package with water, and lastly, cancels the setting of the setting pin corresponding to the conveyor tray which has just been filled.

The motor 2 is a geared type motor havinga very slow speed output shaft, as are motors 202 and I22. I

The package re-loadingmotorZH has its shaft journalled in a rocker'arm support-bracket 2|3 (Figure 26) which together with rocker arm bracket 2|4 supports the rocker arm'shaft 2 5 on" which are pivotally mounted three rocker arms 0 2| 6, 2H and 2| 8, each having a camfollowing roller H9 at one end, and having its other end attached to a pushrod or tension rod.

In Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25 the various cams are shown intheir positions at the'start of the re-- loading cycle. The package dumping cam' 220 is the first cam to come-into action on the start of motor 2| rotating in the direction shown by" the arrow of Figure 23. Cam 220 depresses rocker arm 2|1, which is pivoted on shaft 2|5, therebypushing on push rod 22L which is pivotally connected tosaid rocker arm, causing said push rod to act at its upper end on arms 222 (Figure 3) which are formed of extended portions of ribs 223, supporting door 224", which forms the bottom plate of the freezing chamber. Arms 222' are rigidly attached toshaft 225' which is journalled in extending lugs 226 and 227-, which are integral with side plates 223 and 2290f the freezing chamber. The freezing chamber consists principally of a vertically extending tube, rectangular in cross section, having four walls comprising side walls 228 and 229 and end walls 238 and 222 within which a movable side wall 223 and a movable end wall 234 form an'inner chamber, closed at its lower end by door 224, 'said'inner chamber being adapted to so closely fit an ex-,

tended package 5| as to support the Walls and bottom of said package when filled with water to be frozen. The movable side wall 233 and. the movable end wall 234 are urged inwardly by a number of springs 235 but restrained by the U- shaped brackets which pass through the outer walls 229 and 232 and encircle cam plates 23'! and 238; In Figure 20 the movable plates are shown in their closed or inner-most position. Their outward movement to release a package is controlled by the cam plates 231 and 238, which by upward movement from the position shown,

causes the inclined surfaces 239 to act a wedge between the wall plates 229 and 232 and the respective U-shaped brackets 236, thus forcing the movable plates outward against the springs 235.

Going back to-the action of the push rod 22| which rotates the bottom door 224 about the shaft 225, it will be seen in Figure 3 that the shaft 225 is arranged to effect the above mentioned upward movement of the package releasing cam plates 23! and 238 through a system of cranks and a connecting cam. link. Shaft 2'25, turning in its journals, causes the rotation of crank 240, which is rigidly attached to said shaft 225; A cam link I is pivotally connected between crank 240 and a second crank 242. Link I has a cam surface 243 arranged to force the upward movement of cam plate 23'! through the contact with a roller 244 rotatably mounted on said cam plate 237. Undue bending of link 21H may be prevented by a reacting rollerv 245 rotatably mounted on wall 229 of thefreezing chamber,. which maintains contact with an arcuate' portion 246 of link 24! which is so designed as to maintain said contact during the arcuate movement of link 24! when its pivoted ends follow the circular paths of rotation of the pivot connections to cranks 246 and 242. Crank 242 is rigidly attached to a crank shaft 241 which is journalled in extending lugs 248 and 249 integral with said walls 228 and 229.

Carried on and rigidly attached to crank shaft 241 are a pair of identical crank arms 250 between which a rotatably mounted roller 25l is mounted at the outer ends of said crank arms 250. This roller 25l rolls along the horizontal lower edge 252 of cam plate 238 when crank shaft 241 is turned in its journals, thereby forcing the upward displacement of the cam plate 238. The upward displacement of cam plates 231 and 238 is opposed by springs 253 attached at one end to said cam plates and at the other end to the outer walls of the freezing chamber, said springs also acting to return the cam plates and lever system to their normal positions when cam 229 (Figure 23) passes over center and allows such return.

When the bottom door 224 and movable freezing chamber walls 233 and 234 are in their closed position, and a package of ice cubes is contained within the freezing chamber, the top of said package is retained by means of the engagement of the overhanging guide lip (Figures 8 and 9), the flange 255 preventing the top of the package from dropping downwardly in the freezing chamber.

In Figure 9, it will be seen that a portion of the package feed guide rail H2 is attached by welding or other suitable means to the movable side wall 233 of the freezing chamber, said feed guide rail being discontinuous at the point 255 (Figure 3). On the opposite wall 228 a feed guide rail H2 is similarly attached, but remains stationary during the package dumping action. When the freezing chamber is opened as previously described, the side wall 233 being moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 9, the portion of the feed guide rail H2 attached thereto will disengage the guide lip 69 of the package and the package will be allowed to fall from the freezing chamber. Positive ejecting means may be readily provided through the side walls or guide rails to assure that the package will fall out of the freezing chamber.

The package falls into the chute H and is guided into the empty tray space at the bottom of the storage conveyor.

The further rotation of cam 220 causes the closing of the freezing chamber by the return springs 253. Additional return springs at other points in the release system described may be provided if desired.

The continuing rotation of the shaft 212 (Figure 26) brings cam 256 into position to displace rocker arm 2|6, which is arranged to pull downwardly on rod 251 pivotally connected at its upper end to crank arm 258, which is pivoted on a stud 265 secured in plate 264 mounted on the package guide rails 91 and H10. A spacer 266 is provided to properly align crank 258 with connecting link 259 which is pivotally connected at one end to said crank 258 and its other end to link 262. Link 262 has a projecting'pin 26I at its lower end which engages slot 266 out in plate 264. The upper end of link 262 is pivotally connected to the down-turned flange 261 of the package loading slide 268. The linkage comprised by crank 258, link 269, link 262, and slot 69 in the recess 254 266 allows the pivoted upper end of link 262 to exert a horizontal force on the package loading slide, and allows a linear motion of the slide when crank 258 is rotated, the position of the linkage at the end of its travel being shown by dotted lines. A return spring 263 is provided to return the slide 268 and its connecting linkage, one end of said spring being connected to crank 258 and the other to plate 264.

Referring to Figure 6, the package loading slide will be seen to be a plate-like member having downwardly and inwardly turned flanges 26% (see Figure 7) along its sides designed to engage the out-turned flange 210 or the guide rails H2, having the downturned flange 261, having the rolled-over projections 21l which encircle hinge pin 212, and having its center portion cut away to form a U-shaped outline 213, which allows the slide to straddle the water inlet tubes 65 when over the freezing chamber. Hingedly attached to the package loading slide is a package push plate 214 having hinge pin encircling extensions 215, and an upwardly extending arcuate portion 216 which acts as a stop against the rotation of the package push plate by abutting against the slide 268. A light torsion spring 211 encircles the hinge pin 212 and tends to rotate the package push plate in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 11, which rotation is stopped by the projection 216 when the push plate is substantially vertical.

In Figure 3 and 4 the package loading slide and its package push plate are shown at the beginning of the stroke which loads a package into the freezing chamber, the push plate 214 extending downwardly beyond the top of the uppermost package in the package storage rack, so that when slide 266 moves along the package guide rails H2, the uppermost package is forced to slide off the top of the stack of packages, its projecting tabs 69 being guided in the grooves 254. As the package slides toward the freezing chamber, a support plate 216 (Figures 3 and 8) prevents any dropping of the bottom of the package due to opening of the folds of the package until it has passed completely into place in the freezing chamber, where the package filling holes 19 now fall directly under the water inlet tubes 65. Because of the compressed condition 01' the package to this point, there is a tendency for the packages to partially unfold and expand, and the package is now free to expand downwardly into the freezing chamber.

When the package loading cam 256 passes over center, the return spring 263 starts the reverse motion of the package loading slide and its connecting linkage. When the uppermost package in the storage rack was removed, the entire column of packages was moved up by the weight I04, thus bringing another package into position for loading.

It will be apparent that in the return of the package loading slide, the package push plate 214 will strike the uppermost package in the rack. The hinged arrangement shown in Figure 11 allows the package push plate to deflect against the action of spring 211 and ride up over the top of the package, dropping down again after passing over the package, and thus being in position to push the next package into the freezing chamber. Enough over-travel of the slide and linkage is provided to allow said push plate to pass completely over the package.

The next cam which comes into action as the shaft 212 continues its rotation, is the package filling valve cam 219 which is designed to open thevalve-quicklyand allow it toremain open for the required period to fill the packages with water, as was previously described; This cam is" I of water flow into the package cells through thetubes 65; The weight of the incoming water will cause the package to fully extend until the bottom of the package rests on the door-224 and the package sides rest against the walls 228, 230, 233 and 234, which supports them against the pressure of the water contained in the package. The package of water immediately starts to freeze to me because of the intense cold produced by the coil I I3 encircling the freezin chamben Thefreezing of water in the inlet tubes 65 may be prevented by a thermostatically controlled electrical heater element 2BI (Figure 3) installed in heat'conducting relationship to said inlet tubes, and suitably arranged thermal insulation around said heater, tubes, and water system parts.

The completion of the re-load cycle occurs when the shaft 2I2 (Figure has completed onerevolution, and cam 282 has displaced the flexible push rod 283 ofthe type having an outer confining casing and an inner flexible shaft. The outercasing is clamped to-rocker arm bracket 2I3 by a clamp 284. The-upper end of the push rod 283 operates a bell-crank-285 (Figure 2 which is in turn connected to'a link 286 which passes through wall 2I--and connects-tea lever 28! pivoted on a bracket 288 mounted on said wall. The other end of lever 28'! engages the groove 289 of the cancelling arm I84 in the selector switch K.

The displacement of the push rod by cam 282 will thus be seen to cause the cancellation of the setting of the switch pin I91 and connected setting pin I3.

Cancelling the setting of pin I3 will allow roller 53 to effect the operation of escapement 46. In the arrangement of Figure 2, Patent No. 2,096,620, the operation of escapement 46 will not alone release the switch cam, but escapement wheel must also be released. Since there has been no movement of shaft I82 since the switch was previ-' ously operated, then escapement wheel 45 must still be unrestrained by pawl lever 67, and the operation of escapement 46 will allow the rotation of the switch cam opening contacts 40. The opening of contacts 48 de-energizes the relay 206, stopping the drive of the re-loading cycle motor 2I I.

The circuit from plate I85 to I88 has likewise been broken if only one switch pin has been set.

Thus, if only one package has been released from the machine, all the automatic cycles have been completed, the conveyor is again full, and the machine is at rest except for the freezing process on the package just re-l-oaded into the freezing chamber.

However, if two or more packages have been released, then all the switch pins I9! connecting plates I88 and I8! will not have been cancelled, and the opening of the contacts 40 would switch back to the previously described'circuit, which drives the conveyor on to bring the next empty tray to the loading position. Since'there is not now a frozen package in the freezing chamber available for filling this tray, it is necessary to delay this further automatic action until the package just filled with water is frozen.

is For this purpose a thermally operated switch is provided in the line 205 which,'when open, prevents the operation of all motors except the release motor I22. This thermal switch is located at the freezing chamber in heat conductin relationship with the package of water or ice cubes, and so designed as to detect the temperature of the package contents and operating to open the circuit when said contents are not completely frozen. To increase the producing capacity of the machinQthe temperatures used for freezing may" be extremely low, and thus ahigh temperaturegradient will exist between the freezing coils II? and the central unfrozen core'of water in the package. Thus, the coils may be at sub-zerotemperature and the unfrozen core will be at approximately- 32 with the surface of the package at an'intermediate temperature. When freezing is complet'ed, the ice will continue to drop in'temvperatureandfthe temperature gradient-willtend to'disappear," --Thus, with the control set to close only at extremely lowtemperature, the premature release-of apackage may be prevented.

An alternate means of control may be provided by replacing the thermalswitch with an interval timer which may be set to start a timeinterval each time a loading of the freezing chamber takes place, and close the line circuit only after such timed interval has elapsed. r 4

When the freezing of the water in the package.

is completed as determined above, the thermal or time switch 290wil1 close and allow the repetition of the previously described cycles-"until'the con- Veyoris completely filled and the last-switchpin has been cancelled.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a machine which requires only infrequent servicing, with a supply of compact package units, and which is capable of meeting a high rate of demand at certain hours of the day because of the reserve supply contained in the conveyor. The supply of ice available for delivery t the customers is not limited by the immediate rate of production of the freezing chamber, the machine continuing to build up its reserve during off-peak demand hours, and working twenty-four hours a day.

The latest developments of automatic defrosting techniques may be incorporated in the refrigeration system.

The ice producing capacity of the machine may be readily increased by the addition of more units consisting of a complete package storage racking freezing unit, arranged to feed all the dumped packages into an expanded hopper-like opening at the top of the chute II and arranged to release their frozen packages in sequence.

The. character 29I designates the sprocket wheels attached to the conveyor shafts I45 and I80, which, with said shafts and endless chain links I63 and 292, hinge pins I13 and I65, comprise the endless chain system carrying the trays I36, and referred to in this specification as the conveyor.

It will now be noted that my invention provides the advantages and results as described herein, and as set forth in the various objects mentioned heretofore.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention: 7 I

1. An ice cube vending machine comprising an outer casing, a chamber in said casing, a plurality of normally collapsed foldable containers in said chamber, means for advancing said containers to a water filling position, whereby said containers will be expanded, refrigerating means for freezing the water in said containers into ice cubes, means for automatically discharging'said containers containing said ice cubes thus formed in sequential relation, said water filling means including a plurality of compartments each of which includes a measured water supply consistent with the capacity of each part of said containers, said containers having openings therein wherein said water will flow.

2. An ice cube vending machine comprising an outer casing, a chamber in said casing, a plurality of normally collapsed foldable containers in said chamber, means for advancing said containers to a water filling position, whereby said containers will be expanded, refrigerating means for freezing the water in said containers into ice cubes, means for automatically discharging said containers containing said ice cubes thus formed in sequential relation, said water filling means including a plurality of compartments each of which includes a measured water supply consistent with the capacity of each part of said containers, said containers having openings therein wherein said water will flow, means for regulating the time and period of flow of said water into said containers.

3. An ice cube vending machine comprising an outer casing, a chamber in said casing, a plurality of normally collapsed foldable containers in said chamber, means for advancing said containers to a water filling position, whereby said containers will be expanded, refrigerating means for freezing the water in said containers into ice cubes, means for automatically discharging said containers containing said ice cubes thus formed in sequential relation, said water filling means including a plurality of compartments each of which includes a measured water supply consistent with the capacity of each part of said containers, said containers having openings therein wherein said water will flow, means for regulating the time and period of flow of said water into said containers, said casing having a passageway including a plurality of conveyor trays upon which said containers rest, means for moving said trays into discharging position.

ROBERT H. RIDNOUR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,231,569 Coshland July 3, 1917 1,956,991 Lowen May 1, 1934 1,960,456 Robb May 29, 1934 2,054,101 Short Sept. 15, 1936 2,064.65?) Geyer Dec. 15, 1936 2,414,264 Kirkpatrick Jan. 14, 1947 2,415,451 Synnestvedt Feb. 11, 1947 2,431,916 Caesar Dec. 2, 1947 2,498,964 Roethel Feb. 28, 1950 

